Barun gave a last glance at the mirror and headed out to join Abhinav, he had picked casual jeans and a white shirt for the night. After Mohit's request and honest answers to all his queries, he had decided to not be so tough on Abhinav.
Abhinav and Mohit were by the Chevy, neither was speaking. Abhinav stood erect, his face scrunched as if he was deeply trying to focus on something, while Mohit observed him.
"What's up?" Barun asked joining them. Mohit immediately hushed him and focused on Abhinav once again, confused Barun waited for them to end whatever they were doing.
After a few minutes of heavy silence Abhinav spoke in a sad voice "Still not sure"
"That would mean couple of days more" Mohit sighed.
"Trust me even I want to reach home ASAP" Abhinav responded.
"What's the problem?" Barun asked not able to understand anything.
"Well there is a confusion regarding whom Abhinav has to pick among the two girls" Mohit replied.
"You mean to say while Abhinav stood with a stupid face and you stared at him you guys were-" he said with an incredulous look but stopped as Mohit doubled in laughter and Abhinav cracked a smile.
"No No!" Mohit gasped for air as he tried to explain. "Abhinav was listening to Ragz, I mean Ragini just moments back, she can communicate with people through her mind, distance no bar"
"Really wouldn't a phone call be better?" Barun asked confused.
"Oh she has always been like that, would take it an offense if we talked through a cell phone" Abhinav grinned "you would rarely hear her speaking, she likes her powers"
"I really wanna know about everyone back home" Barun grinned, the people there seemed to be fascinating and fun, given the different kind of powers and abilities he was hearing of, it all seemed exciting to witness.
"We will tell you about them some other day" Abhinav smiled on remembering his home "for now we have Irani's waiting for us"
"Oh and about that, I thought its Madhura who would be changing" Barun suggested plainly "she's the one turning twenty three"
"In maximum cases people have changed at twenty three, but the change can occur anytime from the age of twenty till twenty five, there are equal chances of it being Sanaya until Drashti sees something"
"But you knew about me changing a month before"
"Well since Drashti missed out on the girls, and realized their existence only by the time Sanaya had turned twenty as well, she sees both of them"
"There is heck loads for me to learn! Isn't it?" Barun asked stumped.
"And it doesn't help that you are very inattentive" Abhinav smirked. "Honestly Barun I thought you were supposed to be the smartest amongst us all"
Barun simply rolled his eyes in response and stared at the Chevy Abhinav had taken out from the garage.
"We are taking my car" he immediately said.
"No we are taking my Chevy" Abhinav pressed on.
"No, my car it is" Barun replied equally adamant.
"If we take your car, Sanaya will insist on a ride, probably even driving" Abhinav smirked knowing he was going to win this argument.
"What?" Barun asked stunned.
"When she saw it for the first time, she asked for a ride, I told her it was yours, and maybe someday you could take her for one".
Barun glanced at the Chevy and then Abhinav "Your car" he nodded frowning at the victory grin on Abhinav's face.
"See ya guys later" Mohit smiled at them and headed back in. Barun had suggested it would be fun to have Mohit lurking around invisible, but Abhinav had refused.
"Oh boy, dinner at Irani's" Barun sighed.
"Be careful, I would immediately know if something were to happen to you, but still-"
"Don't worry" Barun assured him. "Tell me about the Irani's though, how come they live with their dad, but know nothing"
"They were adopted at a very young age by Mr and Mrs Irani, we didn't know about them at all. We reckoned all the families had been covered, and were wrong to think there wasn't any child born after 90's. It was only when Drashti saw a glimpse of their place, did she grow curious and began to work on them, soon she could sense both the girls, and sadly she still senses both of them, it is very unsure as to whose going to change"
"Adopted you say. Did their parents die in the war?" Barun asked confused.
"Back at headquarters' we assume their parents were one of those who hid during the times of war, they had kids, must have felt they are perfectly normal, as you know it's only when you gain your powers that the color of your blood changes…anyways something must have happened to them, it's all a bunch of guesses" Abhinav shrugged "Mr Irani might have some answers though and am hoping he will be willing to answer our questions".
"Let's hope. Do they know they are adopted?" Barun asked.
"I don't think so" Abhinav sighed. "It makes matters all the more complicated"
Barun felt he could somewhat relate to the situation, after all he had no idea about his parents either but this case was different, he knew it was his uncle whom he was living with, but the girls, they don't even know they were adopted let alone the horrible truth of who they really are.
--
In a narrow dark alleyway, around houses that seemed to have been deserted, an elderly man in his mid-forties wandered from one house to the other, tears glistened in his eyes, as his entire body raked with sobs that he had ebbed. He had heard Vaishnavi resided in this place along with others like them. Failing to find a living soul in the place, he fell down on his knees, desperation and fear overcoming his being. He had to find them, he had to warn them. It was going to be repeated, everything was about to fall apart, if they didn't stop him. No! They had to stop him, they were the Guard. But where was everyone? He wondered if the plan had been set in action already while he was locked away in that dark chamber, forgotten and forlorn. He shivered on recalling the days of starvation, thankful to every minute of his time down there that he had not been killed. But what use was his escape if he couldn't have helped. If the residents here had all been attacked? Horrified the man gazed from one house to the other. He quickly stood up and decided to leave at once. It happened in a mere second then, the air had rent apart, had come blowing down at him. Pushing him from every side, circling him like a mini cyclone, he felt suffocated as he tried to struggle his way out but there was no escape. His knees buckled, and something sharp snapped at his clothes, he knew it was his end. He made one last attempt to hold onto life as he used his power, he screamed, not one of desperation, but an odd shrill scream echoed around the empty alleyway. He screamed only a moment longer, as the air around him fell short, and then the echoes of another scream filled the streets that of pain and agony, for the man had been ripped to pieces, with black blood spilled where a few minutes back the old man had been.
--
Sanaya trotted downstairs fixing her high ponytail as she brushed away the few strands that fell around adoring her face. She entered the kitchen to make sure dinner had been set as per Madhura's instructions by the helpers; her heart brimmed with joy as she found the preparations near perfect.
"Sanaya! Madhura!" called Mr Irani's voice from the hall.
"Yes dad?" Sanaya asked joining him.
"My Gorgeous girl" Mr Irani smiled "Where's Madhura?" he asked looking around.
"She will be down in a minute or two, but dad your tie gives you a very formal look, we are having a casual dinner at our place, it's not one of your office meetings" she frowned softly.
"Alright" Mr Irani chortled raising his hands in defense before Sanaya would go on about his dressing sense. "Will be back" he smiled and headed to his room.
Sanaya smiled and stared at the now empty hall, it was eerily silent and the only sound was of her heart beating in its normal dull pace. She was suddenly aware of herself; for the sake of doing something she positioned the cushions on the couch once again. The sound of a roaring car engine brought an end to the emptiness that surrounded her, a second later it was cut off, she heard the doors slam shut and peered through the small opening in the curtains that hung by the windowpane only to spot the vivid silhouette of the brothers approach the front porch of her house.
"They are here" she sighed and immediately straightened up, expecting the bell to ring any second now and it did. Her heart fluttered as she headed towards the door, only a second later she realized she was holding her breath, breathing out she calmed down and held the door open.
"Hello" she greeted fighting herself to offer a welcoming smile.
"Hi Sanaya" Abhinav smiled back while Barun simply nodded.
"Cmon in" she grinned. The stylist in her didn't fail to notice what they were wearing, while Barun had picked casuals, Abhinav was dressed to impress, formal pants and a chestnut brown shirt which complemented his copper black eyes. She chided to herself for her failing nerves.
Holding herself together she led them to the mini seating in the hall.
"Have a seat" she smiled again. She was afraid they would realize how uneasy she felt. She sat on the couch opposite to them, biting at her lower lip as she thought of something sane to say.
"Nice house" Abhinav complimented as he looked around.
"Thanks" Sanaya murmured, her fingers twitched uneasily, words failed her to make a conversation. Her mind was frantic now, where was Madhura or dad for that matter?
"So did you like the town and people here?" she asked glad her voice came out fine.
"It's a beautiful place, never seen anything more lovely. People I can't say, we haven't met many, though as far as Mr Irani is concerned he has been very helping".
Sanaya smiled at the warmth Abhinav seemed to be emanating, something in Barun's face told her he didn't feel the same, gathering up her courage she directed her words at him. "What about you Barun?"
"Well" it was Abhinav again who spoke "he is having a bit of a tough time adjusting here"
"Not at all" said Barun for the first time "It's good here, particularly the green, and the sky at night, Excel; the woods too, I have been spending a lot of time exploring there"
Abhinav's eyes crinkled as he held back his laugh, Barun simply rolled his eyes. Sanaya stared from one to the other, her gaze settled on Barun who locked his jaw and looked anywhere but at her.
"Well a private joke I guess" she shrugged casually.
"Yeah" Abhinav nodded "Where's Mr Irani?"
"Getting ready, dad takes time" she giggled in response.
"Well San, giving a wrong impression?" Mr Irani spoke smiling at the boys as he entered the hall. They shook hands and settled once again, Madhura joined them a second or two later.
The atmosphere lit up in an instant, as all of them got comfortable, and the chat went on like it was never-ending, much credit could be given to Abhinav's powers which were driving those in the room except Barun who had forbade Abhinav to try channeling his emotions from the very first day. The talk moved from their home to Abhinav's job and on to Barun's ambitions. Madhura's perception of Abhinav changed as the conversation went on, and she immediately reprimanded herself for having such a biased opinion of him earlier. It was then, the Irani's turn to answer, it reached an uncomfortable pause when they asked about Mrs Irani, the boys were smart enough to switch the subject, and it went smooth then as the discussions headed to the happenings in the town, not to mention the pep talk about Excel.
Madhura and Sanaya shared a glance and decided it was time for dinner, calling an end to the conversation before it got too boring. The girls excused themselves, while Mr Irani bragged about his daughter's cooking much to their embarrassment.
All of them settled at the dining table which offered a mouthwatering feast. They all helped themselves with food.
"So were my girls any trouble Barun?" Mr Irani asked.
Sanaya rolled her eyes, typical dad; she thought and chewed at her pasta while Madhura answered Abhinav and Barun who looked confused.
"He means pranks, insults, troubles etc etc---anyhow" she continued "dad honestly, we are not that bad around here, we are just up to usual light-hearted fun"
"Well I clearly remember your treatment towards this guy from your class last year"
"Not again dad" Sanaya sighed annoyed and embarrassed that the topic had been brought up infront of the boys.
"Mr Ickyface had it coming dad" Madhura spoke clearly her cheeks flushed.
"See what I mean" Mr Irani muttered to the boys obviously in disagreement with his daughter's views but he didn't speak further.
Abhinav stared at the girls amused.
"Later" was Madhura's response not sure as to why he was interested, and why she had promised.
Sanaya looked up and noticed Barun, whose plate was nearly empty.
"Have some more Barun" she insisted getting up to serve him.
"No thanks" Barun smiled not to sound rude.
"Don't be so shy, I insist" Sanaya smiled back and served a little of everything. Barun sighed and whispered "okay thanks"
"I was meaning to ask you Barun" Madhura began "back in Excel you seemed offended by my friends behavior, you know Karan and Akshay" she was cautious looking for signs of discomfort just in case so that she would know whether the conversation was to be avoided or not.
"No it was not them" Barun immediately replied with an easy smile "I was just annoyed at someone else"
"Well it's okay, none of us took any offense really" said Sanaya "but we wondered if we had made you upset". Sanaya was glad the last meet had been cleared of any ill-feelings.
"Sorry about that, he was pissed off at me for hanging around at Excel" Abhinav spoke on Barun's behalf, it was only then that Sanaya realized Abhinav's attention was on them the entire time.
"So Abhinav" Sanaya began "You said we belong from the same town, how so? Have you been here before?"
Abhinav chewed on his food as an excuse to think up an answer. He had been right with his observation on Sanaya, she was a smart one. After a moment's thinking he decided to go with the truth.
"Well I didn't mean this town, I meant Pachmarhi" as he uttered these words, Mr Irani spluttered choking on his food. Madhura quickly stood up thumping his back while Sanaya poured him a glass of water.
"Are you alright dad?" Madhura asked concerned.
"I am okay" Mr Irani smiled in assurance, he cast a shifty glance at the boys and asked his daughters to get back to their food.
"Pachmarhi?" Madhura frowned taking her seat once again.
"I think we need some refills" Mr Irani suggested "Madhura, the bowl of pasta is nearly empty"
Madhura took the bowl and headed to the Kitchen.
"Dad have we ever been to Pachmarhi?" Sanaya asked a very flustered Mr Irani.
"No" he responded thin lipped "Abhinav must be mistaken" his stern gaze told Abhinav that matters won't be so easy after all.
"Maybe" Abhinav agreed letting go of the topic. So they had a problem, the girls didn't know anything and Mr Irani wasn't very keen on telling them.
--
And the first half of the of the dinner has passed :)
Now lemme explain the chapter title
Of Family- The Irani's
Secrets - that the girls are adopted, of what Abhinav and Barun are
and the Unforeseen ties- In one word Pachmarhi
Lemme know what you think in your reviews about the story and the characters :)
Title to Next Chap- And We Bonded Well?
Luv ZJ
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Book Talk
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